I am submitting this complaint regarding the accounting services provided to me and my company by…read moreMr. Bhamji and his accounting firm.
Mr. Bhamji's firm was originally hired by my company when it operated as a sole proprietorship. They were retained to prepare and file my tax returns and provide professional accounting guidance. I later incorporated my business as a limited corporation. As someone who is not an accountant or tax professional, I was unaware that separate tax filings were required: one for the corporation and one for me personally as the owner.
At no time did Mr. Bhamji or his office clearly advise me that, after incorporation, both corporate and personal tax returns had to be filed separately. I relied on them as the professionals I had hired to manage my accounting and tax filing obligations.
For well over a year, I received letters from the Canada Revenue Agency stating that my taxes had not been filed. Each time I received these notices, I contacted Mr. Bhamji's office by phone and/or email to ask what was happening and why CRA was continuing to contact me.
Over the past year to year and a half, I contacted Mr. Bhamji's office at least three or more times regarding the CRA notices and my concern that something was wrong with my tax filings. Each time, I was assured that there was no problem and that my taxes had been filed. I relied on those repeated assurances because I had hired Mr. Bhamji's office as my professional accountant and trusted them to know what filings were required.
Despite those assurances, the CRA notices continued. I was repeatedly told not to worry, but no one at the firm clearly explained that separate personal and corporate tax returns may have been required after incorporation, or that my personal tax filings had not been completed.
Approximately one month ago, I spoke with Mr. Bhamji by telephone. He called me while I was in the middle of a meal with my family, and I politely asked if he could call me back at a more appropriate time. He agreed or otherwise ended the call, but I never heard from him again. He did not return my call, send an email, provide an explanation, or have anyone from his office contact me.
Since that telephone call, I have emailed Mr. Bhamji's office twice asking for their help in resolving this matter. I have also called their office. Despite both my phone calls and emails, neither Mr. Bhamji nor anyone from his office has contacted me or provided any meaningful response. This lack of communication is especially concerning because Mr. Bhamji is aware that I am dealing with a serious tax filing problem involving CRA and that I may now be exposed to penalties, interest, and additional professional costs.
I cannot speak to his reasons for failing to follow up, and I do not wish to speculate. However, the lack of response is very concerning. At that point, he was aware that there was a serious problem involving my tax filings and CRA correspondence. In my opinion, if his office made an error or failed to properly advise me after my business became incorporated, then he had a professional obligation to communicate with me and help correct the matter.
Instead, I have been left to deal with the consequences on my own, including potential CRA penalties, interest, and the need to urgently find another accountant to resolve the issue.
It has now become clear that the required filings were not properly handled and that I may now be facing penalties, interest, and other consequences with CRA as a result. I am now trying to find another accountant to help me correct the situation while Mr. Bhamji's office is failing to communicate with me.
I want to be clear that I have always dealt with Mr. Bhamji's office professionally. I have never had a hostile or disrespectful exchange with anyone at the firm. Despite that, when a serious tax problem has arisen involving their services and their advice, they have failed to respond.
My concern is that I hired this firm to handle my accounting matters because I did not know the tax filing requirements myself. That is exactly why people hire professional accountants. If additional filings were required after incorporation, I should have been properly advised and the necessary work should have been completed or clearly explained to me.
As a result of this situation, I am now exposed to potential CRA penalties, interest, compliance issues, and professional costs to hire another accountant to repair the matter. I believe this conduct falls below the standard expected of a professional accounting firm.
